FREQUENTLY ASKED (VERY DOUCHELY) QUESTIONS
1. This kit is dumb. Fuck you!
Use your words. I can’t tell whatย your problem actually is.
2. You’re probably selling to kids!
I work very hard to keep this kit away from those under 18. My payment does not allow funds from a person who is under 18. I market to only over 18 advertising on Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc. ย If I suspect someone is not 18, I cancel the order. Packaging is plain, there is no fun mascot and there is no candy. I really wanted to put candy, because I like candy and it would be cool to have like a Swedish fish in there, but I don’t want kids to want it for the candy and slyly steal parent’s credit cards and then bribe the mailman in order to get the candy in the kit. This kit, I readily admit, contains two of the MOSTย dangerous things in this world: Information and sharp needles! You can’t get those things anywhere really.ย (That is the secret to my success).
3. You are creating dangerous new behaviors!
Stick and poking have been happening since early human times. Modern DIY tattooing or stick and poke tattooing is from punk culture and often carries meaning for the stick and poker. This practice is at least as old as the band The Runaways. ย It is now a new fad borne at least partially from people wanting to avoid tattoo bros. Just kidding! I was projecting there. (see “Real talk” below).
4. You are spreading disease!
This companyย takes Blood Borne Pathogens very seriously. The instructions show a person how to prevent the spread of serious disease, and also bacterial infection. A big improvement on the classic Stick and Poke experience. ย Also, here is an important note that people forget: tattoo shops are exposed to theย blood of several strangers per day. A person in their own house will have their own blood, and maybe a roommate or partner’s blood. In which scenario is Hep C more likely to spread across the general population?
If a sticknpoker is in a room all alone, does their tattoo really exist? Only you can answer this.ย
5. Tattooing is for professionals ONLY. I’ve never heard of this terrible act called Stick and Poke! &*#^@!
That’s like, your opinion, bro. There are a few types of tattooing and only one is the one where you go to a shop and a tatted up bro dude (or nice lady) is ready with a machine (gun) to give you a bunch of attitudes. Just kidding, I actually know many nice professional tattoo artists. If I want a big beautiful tattoo, I go to them. If I want a meaningful hand poke, I do it myself.
Real talk: I know a lot of people who are reluctant to enter the atmosphere of many tattoo shops – they tend to be (but aren’t always) white male (culture) dominated places that feel less safe for women, trans people and people of color. Imagery and vibe are very important when someone is doing something vulnerable with their body, like a tattoo. Thank goodness the bay area has so many tattoo artists that create a warm environment for all people. I imagine this is not the case in those red states/counties.
There are also Traditional Hand-poked Tattoos and those have meaning for people in cultures where tattooing signifies rites of passage, etc. I have some history in my Tattoo Instruction Guideย if you want to read about it. The main point is that tattooing is a diverse form of body modification. There is not need for tattoo bros to get up in arms about people safely poking themselves. You don’t own adult people’s bodies, or skin or decision-making. This kit allows for those inclined to hand-poke, to do it. It is empowering, safe when done correctly, and often all around lovely experience.
6. That is illegal.
Tattooing someone else outside of a licensed shop is illegal in some states. Tattooing yourself at home is not illegal. (Wouldn’t that be dumb if that was illegal?!) Side Note: Tattoo shops can legally useย ANY ink on their clients in all states. Ink is unregulated. Legality and regulation do not equal safety.
7. That isn’t sterile!
Very few things in tattoo shops are sterile. Almost none. A sterile environment is for surgery. Tattooing is not surgery, in fact, it is only skin deep. Here are some things that are not sterile: gloves on people who give you shots, gloves on tattoo artists, the medical bib that the stuff is on, all tattoo shops inks & bottles. It is very difficult to keep things sterile. There is no need to, really. Clean & sanitary – YES those are important. The kit allows you to keep a very clean/sanitary environment and skin to prevent infection. Autoclaves and now disposable (sterile) needles and grips give peace of mind for everyone in the industry that HIV, hep C, etc are not spreading client to client. With the kit, the needles, ink, bandaid, alcohol pads, witch-hazel pad, aftercare balm, stencil-stuff are sterile (and vegan). These are all individually packaged and one-time use. ย That is actually more sterile things in the kit than in a tattoo shop. Also,ย since only one person can use the kit once, it guarantees that disease cannot be spread.
8. I don’t like you!
That’s fine. You are a big strong important man with amazing artistic abilities and a beard. You too are worthy of love. Never forget that.
Poke safely everyone!
<3 <3 <3